power and caprice of him "whose breath is in his nostrils."-O thou of little faith, wherefore dost thou doubt? "I will answer thee; that God is greater than man." "The Lord hath made all things for himself." They serve him ; they are subject to the controul of Himself, the great first cause and mover of all. By these He ordinarily acts. These are so many visible instruments in the hand of an invisible agent. And therefore it is the duty of faith to look through and beyond these; even up to Him "who ruleth in the kingdoms of men," and ordereth all things both in heaven and in earth.

As, to lean too much to second causes, in scanning the ways and methods of Providence towards us, is a proof of a want of faith-so also is there danger of incurring presumption in looking too little to second. causes. Are there not cases in which, when about to take any important step in life, we are too apt to throw our cares entirely upon Providence, only as an excuse for not stirring ourselves or employing our own exertions? The Christian's rule herein, (if he would avoid the presumption of tempting God) is, that in every question of duty and conduct, he be careful so to use his own endeavours as though all the success of his plans depended thereon so to trust in Providence as though

his own exertions were as nothing. To the ignorance of this rule, or the want of duly applying it, is owing the error of many who plead a call of Providence for most steps they take in life, when, in fact, they are merely following their own inclinations, the bent of their own wayward fancies. Now, my brethren, would we avoid the danger of hypocrisy, we shall be cautious how we plead a call of Providence, till we have, (and that in the first instance,) honestly and impartially, and to the full extent, employed all those outward means by which human ends are ordinarily accomplished, and by which our consciences may be safely assured that the thing is of God, or not contrary to his will. For conscience is the voice of God speaking within us, guiding our conduct, confirming our decisions. When we have done this, and spreading the matter fairly, and frequently, and humbly before God in prayer, have resigned ourselves to his will and direction, saying, What wouldst thou have me to do ?'-then, and not till then, we may reasonably assure ourselves that we have a call of Providence for what we do, in the step we are about to take; and that, however it succeed-all will be well in the end.

Be it then the business of our lives to eye Providence in all things. In all His dealings

with us, let us endeavour, by faith, and repentance, and prayer, to understand His gracious designs respecting us. Especially should we do this, when His judgments are upon us, and His hand presses us sore. Then to search out our spirits, to look well if there be any way of wickedness in us, any sin to be eradicated, any virtue to be strengthened, any good habit to be formed and perfected; this is to fall in with the designs of Providence, and to convert the dispensation into the greatest blessing that could have been vouchsafed to us. Such persons God God may vex with all his storms, all his waves may go over them: but such He will never leave nor forsake. All things shall work together for good to them that love God. All things are yours, if ye are Christ's. The godly man He hath set apart for Himself. He fashioneth all the hearts of men. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hold on faith and patience Lean on the arm of the beloved. "What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter." When thou shalt " see Him as He is," thou shalt also understand, (what is wisely withheld from thee now,) all the mysteries of his providence. The crooked shall then be made straight, the rough places be made smooth. "Here we see through a glass darkly."

In heaven " they sing the song of Moses, and of the lamb, saying, great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints !"

Sermon IV.

THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO

THE POOR.

MATTHEW II. 5.

The poor have the Gospel preached unto them.

AMONG the predicted signs of the

coming of Christ in the flesh to teach men righteousness, and to die for their sins, was this mentioned in the text, that the Gospel should be preached to the poor. Accordingly our Lord takes to himself those prophecies which went before concerning him, in order to show that he really was the Christ who should come; the desire of all nations, so long expected and looked for in the world. We read in St. Luke's Gospel, that when he had sat down in the

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